Key Events

The store is being cleared

Photos taken outside the store at the Cyfarthfa Retail Park in Merthyr show display cabinets being removed.

(Image: Matthew Horwood)

15:14

Merthyr Tydfil store was eligible for rates relief

A Welsh Government spokesman confirmed that the Merthyr Tydfil Debenhams store was eligible for the rates relief scheme, unlike some of its largest stores.

They said: “We are providing more than £350m of non-domestic rates relief to all properties in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector with a rateable value up to £500,000.

“This is part of a £1.7bn support package to provide businesses in Wales with certainty and stability during these challenging times – this includes the £500m Economic Resilience Fund which is unique to Wales and makes this the most generous package of support in the UK.

“We will continue to consider how to best target our support where it will have the greatest impact in sustaining jobs and the longer term viability of our economy.”

In a statement, a spokesman from Debenhams said the decision to close the Merthyr Tydfil store was as a result of not being able to come to an agreement over rent with the landlords.

13:06

Merthyr MS 'disappointed in decision' to close store

Dawn Bowden, Member of the Senedd for Merthyr and Rhymney called the decision to close the store ‘disappointing.’

She said: “I am very disappointed that Debenhams has decided to close its store in Merthyr Tydfil with the consequent loss of jobs and impact on the town. Unfortunately, it has been clear for some time that Debenhams has been a company in trouble.

“It announced a number of store closures before the lockdown, so it would appear that it did not have the resilience to withstand the further pressures that having no business over the last few weeks has created.

“The company had been in receipt of money from Government while its staff were furloughed, but that was not enough to save the Merthyr store either.

“My concern at this stage is for the staff who are now having to come to terms with an uncertain future without work and how that will affect their day to day lives.

“We have to hope that, when we get out of the other side of the current COVID crisis, businesses will be able to rebuild and re-employ people across Merthyr Tydfil and elsewhere”

12:44

Merthyr MP describes closure as 'huge blow'

Gerald Jones, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney has described the stores’ closure as a “huge blow” for the community.

He said: “This is a huge blow for Merthyr Tydfil, which comes at what is already a hugely difficult time for retail businesses everywhere.

“Debenhams is a popular store at the Cyfarthfa Retail Park, and I am deeply disappointed with their decision to close.

“I am encouraging any constituents, particularly staff who are affected by the store’s decision to contact my office with any concerns they may have, or if there’s anything they feel I can help with.”

12:27

Store closure follows as seven stores already confirmed for closing

In April, Debenhams announced it would close seven stores permanently across the UK as a result of the administration process.

None of the stores included in the original closures set out were in Wales.

The seven other stores across the UK set for closure are as follows

Truro

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Salisbury

Westfield in West London

Warrington

Leamington Spa

South Shields

12:01

Essential stores on the retail park remain open

All non-essential retailers on the retail park closed when advised by the Welsh Government to do so in March.

A few essential stores remain open, these include:

M&S

Boots

Wilko

Pets at Home

B&Q

Argos

KFC

11:58

Short history at the Cyfarthfa Retail Park

Debenhams in Merthyr Tydfil was among one of the first stores to open its doors when Cyfarthfa Retail Park opened in 2005.

The site, just off the A470 is home to brands including Marks and Spencer, Next, H&M, Debenhams, TK Maxx, New Look, Boots, River Island, Argos, Wilko, and Curry’s.

It is also home to McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut, along with two Costa Coffee outlets.

A B&Q store is situated nearby along with an Oak Furniture Land store.

11:44

Are you affected by this story?

Are you an employee at the Debenhams store in Merthyr Tydfil? If you would like to share your experience and memories of working at the store, please get in touch.

We would also like to hear from Merthyr Debenhams’ customers about what they think of the stores’ closure.

If you would like to get in touch, please email lydia.stephens@walesonline.co.uk.

10:54

What Debenhams closing would mean for the Welsh towns and cities that heavily rely on it

Over the weekend, WalesOnline reporters Ryan O’neill and Robert Dalling took a look at what the closure of Debenhams stores would mean for the Welsh towns and cities that heavily rely on it.

Debenhams has been located right in the middle of the Quadrant Shopping Centre in Swansea for generations.

Chief executive of Swansea BID (Business Improvement District), Russell Greenslade said, “there is a lot of important work” currently going on behind the scenes to support anchor stores in Swansea city centre.

He said: “Swansea BID is very much a part of this conversation, with Swansea Council and ministers looking very carefully at the situation in these difficult times. It is vital that the Welsh Government and the UK Government play an active role in this process too.

“Swansea’s Debenhams store is a key trading location for the firm and it is a popular store for consumers. We will continue to support the company and other retailers during these very testing times.

“Swansea has a bright future, with over half a billion pounds worth of investment going into redevelop our city in ways that will be long-lasting and economically advantageous.

“We are seeing our independent businesses as well as our big name brands stepping up to continue to provide vital services to consumers in light of the current COVID-19 crisis. This entrepreneurial spirit will see Swansea thrive into the future.”

Click here to read more about the impact the stores’ closure could have on Carmarthen, Swansea and Newport.

10:47

Full warning from Debenhams chairman about Welsh stores

Last week, Debenhams chairman Mark Gifford warned that “time is running out to save Debenhams four largest stores in Wales.”

This was in regards to the Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Llandudno stores.

The high-street chain said hundreds of jobs could be lost unless the Welsh Government grants a business rates relief holiday.

Wales said it would match the pledge but then changed the threshold so that large firms cannot benefit. It means Debenhams faces paying huge sums for shuttered stores.

The chairman of Debenhams previously issued a warning to the Welsh Finance Minister Rebecca Evans that its stores would not reopen, and has again asked for the government to step in.

On Thursday Debenhams chairman Mr Gifford said: “Time is running out to save Debenhams four largest stores in Wales.

“I had a constructive conversation with Rebecca Evans this week but the reality is we need a favourable decision if these stores are to be re-opened by the administrator and precious jobs saved.

“The way the rating system works, and in particular how it relies on outdated rental values, is a UK-wide problem and also reflects the ponderous approach and inaction of the Valuation Office in updating rateable values.

“When combined with the Welsh Government’s stance to make an active choice to penalise large retailers, we continue to ask Ms Evans and her colleagues to provide support to Debenhams to help our colleagues retain their jobs.”

Debenhams said that their stores in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Llandudno are still at risk of closure.

The rates on the four stores is £2.5m per year, with Cardiff accounting for £1.1m.

A spokesman said the rates liability is “substantially higher” than the rent.